The Portland daily press., 1887-08-08
MAYFLowER VICTORIOUS.
The Big Sioops' Exciting Run from
New York to Vineyard Haven.
MayfIower, Puritan, Volunteer. is the
Order Of the Finish.
The steel Boat Leads over Part Of
the Course.

COTTAGE CITY, Aug 6.-The run Of the
New York Yacht Club from Newport to Cot
tage City resulted in the defeat of the Volun-
teer by the Mayfower and Puritan. The
race began from point near the Brent0n's
reef lightship, the yachts sailing out Of New
port harbor at about ten o'clock in the fore
noon. In the fleet were about 55 sailing
yachts and twelve steam yachts. After leav
ing the harbor, the yachts careened far to
leeward under the pressure Of the strong
breeze. 1t was just half past ten when the
boats began crossing the line, making their
course for Vineyard Haven. Everything was
closehauled, and on the starboard tack they
rushed along at high speed, saving the miles
with the regularity Of a swinging pendulum,
The struggle between the three great sloops,
Volunteer, Mayflower and Puritan, was eag-
erly watched. The Mayhower got away first,
and taking the lead, determinedly settled
down. to hold it. The Puritan started after
her, five minutes late. while the Volunteer
came q couple of minutes after her. These
two sloops had most interesting struggle
all over the course.
The Priscilla was the only one of the eolos-
sal quartette that did not carry club topsail.
Otherwise her canvas was the same as her
rivals. They carried forestaysails, jibs and
jibtopsails 80
12.34.25. and set her No. 2 jibt0psail
The Volunteer passed the Puritan to lee
ward just before reaching the lightship, by
which she skipped at 12.39. Mr.. Forbes
yacht was only 40 seconds behind her.
The Puritan lost some ground by engaging
in lufing match with the steel clipper. Her
evident intention was to get well to wind
ward Of the Volunteer, start sheet, and,
depending on her ability as runner, knock
out her steel rival
The old America started exactly one min
ute astern of the Gitana, a modern model
and considered a flyer. Gen Butler was on
board his famous yacht. The old-time crack
held on to the Gitana like leech, and was
only 80 seconds astern when they entered
Vineyard Sound.
The constantly increasing breeze, which
had now shifted TO the southward, prompted
the Flagship to steam ahead OF the
fleet so as to be absolutely certain OF
reaching the West Chop buoy in time to
record the finish Of the yachts.
The breeze was now from the southwest,
and the tide running down the sound. Near
ly all the vessels Of the fleet kept near the
Martha's Vineyard shore, out OF the tide.
Some Of them experimental with spinna-
kers, which, as rule, materially aided
them.
The Mayflower and the Puritan. were.
among the fortunate ones that Rugged this
shore and received the first benefit OF the
shift Of wind. 1t soon became apparent as
the Mayfiower drew near the finish that she
wenld carry off the doubtful honors Of the
day. Her bulging balloon jib-topsail. which
she had set when the wind shifted, towed
her smokingIy along. Preparatory to round
ing West Chop and crossing the line she
took in her balloon jib-topsail and set
smaller sail. She crossed the line at 2. 80.
The Puritan followed at 2.4003, and the
Volunteer at 2.44.15.
The Mayflower thus beat sae Puritan 4
minutes and Is seconds and the Volunteer
minutes and AZ seconds.
The only real test of the steel boats abil-
ity, compared with the Mayfiower and Puri-
tan, was the long reach from the start off
Brenton's reef light ship to the Sow and
Mayllower minutes IA seconds, and the
Puritan minutes and 10 seconds.
The following is the elapsed time Of the
big slOop.